Page 297 - New Medley 5 Semester 2

The East India Company wanted to take as much wealth as possible to

their country from India. The British exploited the farmers, traders and
weavers. The company brought mill cloth from England and sold it at a

lower rate than handloom cloth. The British also started interfering in
the running of princely states in India.

At that time, India was divided into many kingdoms. The rulers kept
fighting among themselves. The British followed the policy of ‘divide and

rule’ to weaken the rulers. People in different parts of India protested
against the policies of the British, who had turned themselves from

traders to rulers.

The Revolt of 1857
The Revolt of 1857 was started by the Indian soldiers serving in the

British army. The Indian soldiers were given less wages than the British
soldiers. The Company rulers introduced the Enfield rifle in India.

Greased cartridges were used in
them. Before fitting them into the

rifles, the soldiers had to bite the
end of the cartridges with their

teeth. A rumour spread that the
cartridges were greased with the

fat of the cow and the pig.

This enraged both Hindus and

Muslims as it was against their
religious beliefs.

The revolt began
at Meerut near

Delhi. Mangal
Pandey was

the first soldier
who refused to

use the Enfield
rifles. He was Mangal Pandey Main centres of the Revolt of 1857

295